Sleek and secure, the Apple Card is one of the most exciting credit cards in years. Unfortunately, it’s not yet available in Canada – but we have 5 alternatives with many of the same features.
Key Takeaways
- Currently, the Apple Card is only available to US citizens.
- There’s no shortage of low fee, no fee, cash back, metal credit card alternatives in Canada.
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What is the Apple Card?
Released in 2019, the Apple Card made waves as one of the most user-friendly rewards credit cards available in North America. It’s issued by Goldman Sachs – a major bank based in Salt Lake City – and it uses the Mastercard payment network.
To apply for an Apple Card, you must be a citizen of the United States with a credit score of 300 or more and an Apple ID in good standing.
While the company has yet to bring the card to the great white North, news outlets report that it registered the trademark "Apple Card" in Canada in January 2021.
5 exciting Apple Card features
The Apple Card’s 5 biggest selling points are:
- Zero fee guarantee
- Daily Cash cash back rewards program
- Apple product integration
- Titanium metal physical credit card
- Financial Health app
When Apple says zero fees, they mean it. The Apple Card has no annual fees, late payment fees, penalty fees, or foreign transaction fees. Everything you earn through its Daily Cash cash back rewards program is yours to keep, including:
- 3% back on purchases from Apple stores, including retail stores, apple.ca, iTunes, and Apple TV
- 3% back on purchases with select merchants like Ace Hardware, Exxon, Mobil, Nike, and Uber
- 2% back on purchases made using Wallet and Apple Pay
- 1% back on all other purchases
You can save even more by taking advantage of Bonus Daily Cash promotions and depositing your cash into an Apple Savings account for a 4.4% promotional interest rate.
The Apple Card integrates seamlessly with other Apple products like the digital Wallet app and Apple Pay, enabling you to make contactless purchases with your iPhone. If said purchases include an Apple computer or Macbook, you can even pay for them using an interest-free monthly installments plan over 6–24 months.
Low-tech customers will appreciate the option to carry a premium, laser-etched titanium metal physical credit card in their wallets. Meanwhile, techies can manage their spending, rewards, payments, and savings through the Financial Health app, which includes family spending controls and credit-building tools for young users over 18.
5 Apple Card alternatives
Apple likes to bill itself as a trailblazer, but Canada has had store-exclusive and zero foreign transaction fee credit cards for years. While we can’t promise they have the exact same features, these 5 Apple Card alternatives are all compatible with Wallet and Apple Pay.
1. Best no fee card: SimplyCash Card from American Express
The SimplyCash Card from American Express offers a staggering value proposition for zero annual fees: 2% cash back on gas and groceries, 1.25% cash back on all other purchases, and zero income requirements. With a 1.46% return rate and limitless rewards, it’s one of the best no fee credit cards for a reason.
2. Best cash back card: Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
×1 Award winner 
$125 GeniusCash + Up to $100 bonus cash back* + 1.95% on balance transfers for 6 months.*
GC: $125
1x Award winner With zero fees, you don’t have to compromise anything you earn with the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. You get 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice – or 3, if you open and deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Savings account – including gas, groceries, restaurants, and recurring bills.
The card’s welcome bonus includes 10% extra cash back for the first 2 months (up to $1,000 spent) and 1.95% on balance transfers for the first 6 months.
3. Metal card: BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Metal credit cards are premium products and it’s rare to find one that doesn’t have an annual fee. If you’re willing to shell out $599 per year, you can carry the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card. In return, you get up to 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent, a $200 annual lifestyle credit, 12 types of insurance, and up to 7 cents off per litre at Shell.
You can transform BMO Rewards into investments, merchandise, and travel, which is handy for taking advantage of the Visa Infinite Complimentary Concierge, Luxury Hotel Collection, and Dining Series.
4. Best American travel card: Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
If you often go South, you could get 3% cash back on every purchase in US dollars with the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard. There’s even more value in the 6 types of included insurance coverage, including purchase protection, trip cancellation, and trip interruption coverage.
Like Visa Infinite, World Elite Mastercard holders enjoy exclusive dining, lounge, and travel benefits.
5. Runner up: BMO CashBack Mastercard
The BMO CashBack Mastercard is the best alternative for shoppers who’d rather earn cash back than BMO Rewards points. You’ll get 5% cash back for the first 3 months on up to $2,500 spent. After that, your earnings drop to 3% on groceries, 1% on recurring bill payments, and 0.5% on all other purchases. Don’t forget that you can save 7 cents on every litre at Shell.
Are you waiting for the Apple Card?
Are you eagerly awaiting the Apple Card’s arrival into Canada – if and when it happens? Do you see more value in the existing cards that are available?
Let us know in the comments below!
FAQ
When will the Apple Card be available in Canada?
Apple has yet to set a firm deadline for bringing the Apple Card to Canada. There’s been no development since January 2021, when the company trademarked the phrase "Apple Card" in Canada.
Is the Apple Card only available to iPhone users?
The Apple Card can only be loaded onto Apple Pay-enabled Apple Watches, iPads, Macs, and iPhones.
Can you get a physical Apple Card?
If you’re in the U.S. and have an Apple Card, you can get a physical, titanium Apple Card by contacting Apple’s customer service to make a request.
Can you get an Apple savings account in Canada?
Because it’s run by Goldman Sachs, a US-exclusive bank, the Apple Savings account is unavailable in Canada.
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